Construction is now under way on SSEN Transmission's Spittal to Peterhead Link, a major subsea cable project that will connect Caithness and Aberdeenshire.

Once complete, the 2GW High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) connection will provide a secure, efficient path to move electricity from areas rich in renewable generation to consumers nationwide, supporting Scotland and the UK's clean power and energy security objectives.

The project is expected to deliver significant local economic benefits. Nicol of Skene has been contracted for onshore cable works at Rattray Head near Peterhead, while John Gunn and Sons will deliver similar works at Sinclair's Bay in Caithness.

Following a groundbreaking event held last year to mark the start of enabling works, progress has accelerated. At Rattray Head, Nicol of Skene has begun horizontal directional drilling (HDD) and duct installation to prepare for onshore cable installation and is building the main works compound. Access, compound construction and power connection activities are continuing ahead of landfall HDD, scheduled to begin in the summer to support marine cable installation.

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On the northern section in Caithness, John Gunn and Sons has advanced early enabling works and started elements of the main construction, including access road and HDD activities, with the main works compound due to become operational in the coming weeks.

Safety remains a central focus, with teams from SSEN Transmission and its contractors, including NKT and John Gunn and Sons, recently participating in a safety exercise at the Caithness landfall to reinforce a culture of speaking up, pausing work when required and making safe decisions daily.

Niall MacLeod, Project Director for the Spittal to Peterhead project, said: "We're making strong progress across the Spittal to Peterhead Link, reflecting the strong collaborative approach between SSEN Transmission, principal contractor NKT, and our delivery partners Nicol of Skene and John Gunn and Sons.

"Close working relationships across the project team are supporting safe, high quality construction activity on the ground and helping to lay strong foundations for the next phase of the project.

"The momentum being seen across both the northern and southern sections of the route demonstrates what can be achieved through clear planning, strong leadership and effective partnership working, all while keeping safety at the heart of everything we do.

"With main works now underway, the project is moving steadily towards the start of landfall horizontal directional drilling activities this summer."